backyard

1 of 2

noun

back·​yard ˈbak-ˈyärd 

1

: an area at the rear of a house

2

: a nearby area : neighborhood

crimes committed in our own backyard

backyard

2 of 2

adjective

: located or occurring in a backyard

a backyard barbecue

also : lacking professional training : amateur

a backyard breeder

Synonyms

Noun

• environs
• neighborhood
• purlieus
• vicinage
• vicinity

Adjective

• amateur
• avocational
• jackleg
• nonprofessional
• Sunday

Examples of backyard in a Sentence

Noun

We spent the evening relaxing in the backyard.

shocked to learn that the wind farm would be right in our own backyard

Adjective

an orchid that is a favorite with backyard horticulturists

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And, more to the point, what happens when such an event is in the backyard of your home or business? —Justin Worland, TIME, 18 Jan. 2025

In Season 4, the conflict comes in the form of gentrification, as the construction of a golf course in Abbott’s backyard throws the staff and students’ West Philadelphia neighborhood into (hilarious) turmoil. —Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Some Americans are increasingly exploring backyard chicken farming as an option, seeking to gain greater control over their food supply. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

The patient was hospitalized after exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1719, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

backyard

noun

back·​yard

-ˈyärd

1

: an area in back of a house

2

: an area in which one has a special interest